new professional grade harbor freight ratchets

[whyNick?]

Not trying to stir the pot but the website shows the 3/8" drive flex head standard length to have a 90 day warranty.
Now it may be a typo/website hasn't caught up with reality but I figured it's worth noting.

I do like the looks of these ratchets and my hands are not getting any younger so it may be an affordable way to slip into comfort grips.

http://http://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-flex-head-ratchet-62321.html?hftref=cj

I bet it's a mistake, the others appear to be lifetime warranty.

 

[stage20]

My packages for 1/4 and 3/8 say lifetime on the card hanger.

What is RLL, some type of lube? Searched. Nothing

 

[vandezand]

My packages for 1/4 and 3/8 say lifetime on the card hanger.

What is RLL, some type of lube? Searched. Nothing

Red lube of love.... its assembly lube

 

[BirdMobile]

My packages for 1/4 and 3/8 say lifetime on the card hanger.

What is RLL, some type of lube? Searched. Nothing

The "Red Lube of Love" - it's Permatex Ultra Slick engine assembly lube. It's red. It's messy and weeps from your ratchet seams forever after you put a few drops in. If you can live with the ****** mess, though, it works REALLY sweet at making your ratchets purr and reduces back drag to almost nothing.

 

[e30bradley]

thats expensive for chinese! used SO prices.. Wow, HF really gets people here talking. Page 15.

 

[-Brent-]

Wow, HF really gets people here talking. Page 15.

Where you been, E30??? You don't know this by now?

 

[BirdMobile]

OK then!
As promised, here are the "head shots" of the new HF ratchets, compared to a few others. First off, please note that I only have the long-handled 3/8 drive composite, and the 1/4 Flex head... though I'll probably pick up the short flex handled 1/2 drive later this week.

Here is the Carlyle 3/8 Roto ratchet (left), the old 3/8 Composite [Gen. 2 fat handle] (center), and the new long handled 3/8 composite (right):

 

[BirdMobile]

Here is a Kobalt stubby flex head 3/8 (left), a Snap On FHLF80 [modified with green screwdriver handle] (Center), and the new HF long-handled 3/8 composite (right):

 

[BirdMobile]

Finally, here is the new HF 1/4 flex head.
This photo has a Kobalt ergo handled 72 tooth 1/4 (Left), a Carlyle standard length 72 tooth 1/4 (center-left), a Snap On TLL72 (center-right), and the new HF flex head 1/4 (right):

 

[BirdMobile]

P.S. I aligned the front edge of the ratchet heads, and used a machinists parallel in all photos to provide a flat, level surface for all ratchet comparison purposes.

Enjoy!

 

[d4dawg]

thats expensive for chinese! used SO prices.. Wow, HF really gets people here talking. Page 15.

They are not Chinese. It's been said many times.

 

[BirdMobile]

They are not Chinese. It's been said many times.

Nobody listens... or cares. It's from Harbor Freight, so it's pot metal trash poured into clay mold in a dirt hut by loincloth wearing condemned Chinese prisoners. Besides, Snap On is the only tool company not tainted by the filth of Lucifer... haven't you heard? By the way, Harbor Freight sells everything at full price and never goes on sale, and 25% off coupons are nonexistent heresy!

Don't confuse them with facts, it will only make their heads explode!

 

[d4dawg]

^^ Good point. LOL! I guess I should just give up.
Btw, stopped by my local HF today after work. They have none of the new ratchets. Just the price tags with empty hangers. Either the staffs haven't hang them up, or these new ratchets are selling quick!
There were only a couple of the 3/8" extendable ratchets with the new red/black handle. I grabbed on it and it felt good.

 

[monomach]

I'm not even going to touch the douchey post on the last page. He can talk to himself and his fancypants barely-used German ratchets about how Taiwan is really just a part of China.

Anyway, I stopped at HF again today. STILL no new ratchets out. There's not even a hook and tag for them yet. I asked the manager about it and he said they only got 4 of each. He also said they were sold out already. They all went right from the dock to guys who saw them in the October flier we all just got. He's started an waiting list for them. I'm fifth in line for the new 3/8 composite.

Also...the regular length roto ratchets that were on clearance have now been brought back up to full price on the website and in the store. Only the stubby rotos are being cleared out now. I feel silly because I bought two backups in 3/8" over the weekend when it looked like they were going away forever...but hey, at least I got high quality ratchets for $9 each. Way better than the Gearwrench rotos I used to have at a fraction of the price.

 

[chipper]

I'm not even going to touch the douchey post on the last page. He can talk to himself and his fancypants barely-used German ratchets about how Taiwan is really just a part of China.

Anyway, I stopped at HF again today. STILL no new ratchets out. There's not even a hook and tag for them yet. I asked the manager about it and he said they only got 4 of each. He also said they were sold out already. They all went right from the dock to guys who saw them in the October flier we all just got. He's started an waiting list for them. I'm fifth in line for the new 3/8 composite.

Also...the regular length roto ratchets that were on clearance have now been brought back up to full price on the website and in the store. Only the stubby rotos are being cleared out now. I feel silly because I bought two backups in 3/8" over the weekend when it looked like they were going away forever...but hey, at least I got high quality ratchets for $9 each. Way better than the Gearwrench rotos I used to have at a fraction of the price.

Why are they way better then gw? Just curious I have the gw and like them

 

[monomach]

Why are they way better then gw? Just curious I have the gw and like them

My Gearwrench rotos had what I'd consider an unreasonable amount of back drag and even bound up a few times. My HF roto doesn't. The mechanism also just "feels" more "stout." I returned the GWs after about a week.

 

[stage20]

I bought my long 3/8 when I saw them Sunday. Shelves were packed 10 each of everything. Went back next day to get the 1/4 and only one long 3/8 left. Sounds like to me a few mechanics come in nd cleaned house. I don't see average hf customer buying a 15" ratchet to change something in the house. Still trying to decide if I need the 1/2s.

 

[SMKS]

My Gearwrench rotos had what I'd consider an unreasonable amount of back drag and even bound up a few times. My HF roto doesn't. The mechanism also just "feels" more "stout." I returned the GWs after about a week.

I've also owned both and my GW had less back drag than my HF roto.

I like the HF roto and it's a bargain, but it does have more drag and wasn't as smooth as the GW roto I owned.

 

[JDSV]

OK then!
As promised, here are the "head shots" of the new HF ratchets, compared to a few others. First off, please note that I only have the long-handled 3/8 drive composite, and the 1/4 Flex head... though I'll probably pick up the short flex handled 1/2 drive later this week.

Here is the Carlyle 3/8 Roto ratchet (left), the old 3/8 Composite [Gen. 2 fat handle] (center), and the new long handled 3/8 composite (right):

Thanks for the comparison! Do you know if the Carlyle ratchets have the same or similar internals as the new HF ratchets?

 

[Danglerb]

Drag could be an issue from factory lube, maybe worth replacing with the good goo?

 

[BirdMobile]

Drag could be an issue from factory lube, maybe worth replacing with the good goo?

The HF rotos can't be disassembled. Best I've been able to do is soak the heads in ATF... but they still end up with plenty of stiffness and back drag.

I have a pair of Husky roto ratchets (1/4, 3/8) and I've been told they are rebranded Gearwrench. If so, I have to agree with the other post - definitely smoother and less drag than the HF rotos. Still love the HF though... where else are you going to buy stubby roto head ratchets for under $10? (Rhetorical question.)

 

[rockfordmarv]

Just picked up a new composite ratchet, lot better feel than the previous version. They also had others there (with no price tags), I passed on those. Not a big fan of the free moving head, i'd much rather have a locker.

BTW, I paid 11.36 for the new composite.

 

[itsvegas]

I would like to see if these come out in a locking version and standard non flex too! [

 

[stage20]

I would like to see if these come out in a locking version and standard non flex too! [

they will after everyone buys all of the flex heads.
great marketing. most people will *****, but still buy both. the way it works.

 

[SantaAna12]

they will after everyone buys all of the flex heads.
great marketing. most people will *****, but still buy both. the way it works.

I think I can find the strength to wait.

300 posts on a HF ratchet. Maybe next time I walk through HF I will buy something. I keep walking through........

 

[Hiball]

I would like to see if these come out in a locking version and standard non flex too! [

I can see a Non-flex version, but unlikely you will see a locking flex.

 

[G_P]

Just got this in the mail. Along with a 20% coupon and a bunch of coupons for free stuff with no purchase required.

 

[Barret98bravo]

That's what I was thinking .. How much longer can they hold out ????

 

[Barret98bravo]

I just got m flyer today, I think it's worth a try

 

[Exceller8]

I bought the 3/8", long flex head and I love it for $22 out the the door. Really hard to be that price.

 

[monomach]

I mentioned before that they removed the standard-length rotos from clearance...

Well, now they've changed the pictures of the 1/4 and 1/2 on the website to the same color scheme as the other new stuff. HF appears to be moving the Pitt Pro line to black/red across the board. They had already done the pliers before this.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-quick-release-swivel-head-ratchet-96781.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-quick-release-swivel-head-ratchet-96782.html <---3/8, still green

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-quick-release-swivel-head-ratchet-96783.html

 

[BirdMobile]

I stopped by my HF again today.
All new ratchets are out on the racks. They had about 6 of each left in stock, but only 2 of the long composite handle left. I also noticed they are clearancing all roto ratchets in neon green, except for the 1/2" drive model. Strange. All the stubby rotos are gone.

I bought another long handled composite ratchet, for my "on the go" tool kit.

I also bought the short handled 1/2 drive flex head. Let me know if any of you want photos or comparison pics with other ratchets - my 1/2" drive stuff is limited to a Snap On SF80A, a Craftsman flat panel, an old-school Thorsen external gear ratchet, and I think maybe one other... can't recall off hand.

In any case, it looks like the composite long handled 3/8 drive is a hot seller... there was only one left hanging on the racks when I left. If you want one, act quick - I doubt the first shipment will last through the weekend!

 

[BirdMobile]

Thanks for the comparison! Do you know if the Carlyle ratchets have the same or similar internals as the new HF ratchets?

I'll disassemble my 1/4 drive Carlyle 72 tooth tomorrow and let you know.

 

[madcrisis]

I picked up the 1/4 flex tonight. Im actualy impressed with the quality. looks good and feels better! I must say im impressed for HF

 

[dgxlh]

I went to HF and got one. Everything seems pretty good so far although the selector switch seems like the weak link

 

[dnschmidt]

Bought the two long flex and the new long composite yesterday. Sad to say it but they look great and feel even better. Used 25% coupons for all three of them, went into the store three times and went to different cashiers so I got a real deal. If HF keeps going this way nobody else will be in business. I like the fact that the flex is a true flex and doesn't have detents. I hate detents as they force you to go to a specific angle. The flex heads are stiff, as they should be and appear to be adjustable for tightness as well. Seem fantastic so far.

The long composite is a thing of beauty. Perfect feel and perfect length. The standard HF composites are great but the handles are too thick, and I have XL hands, so, if they are too thick for me they must be too thick for a lot of people.

HF keeps getting smarter and smarter. If they ever decide to move slightly upscale with their power tool lines they will be devastating to that industry.

 

[wornoutoldman]

^^^ HF CEO talking here?

 

[GTO]

Bought the two long flex and the new long composite yesterday. Sad to say it but they look great and feel even better. Used 25% coupons for all three of them, went into the store three times and went to different cashiers so I got a real deal. If HF keeps going this way nobody else will be in business. I like the fact that the flex is a true flex and doesn't have detents. I hate detents as they force you to go to a specific angle. The flex heads are stiff, as they should be and appear to be adjustable for tightness as well. Seem fantastic so far.

The long composite is a thing of beauty. Perfect feel and perfect length. The standard HF composites are great but the handles are too thick, and I have XL hands, so, if they are too thick for me they must be too thick for a lot of people.

HF keeps getting smarter and smarter. If they ever decide to move slightly upscale with their power tool lines they will be devastating to that industry.

 

[chipper]

I like the ratchets too but that is a bit of a stretch

 

[Garage Junky]

Was planning to stop by HF later today anyway for some of the plastic yellow/black organizers, I'll have to check these out if they've got you guys this riled up.